Louis C.K. won an Emmy last year for writing for his FX series, `Louie.’ This year, he may take home an acting Emmy.

Louis C.K. won an Emmy last year for writing for his FX series, `Louie.’ This year, he may take home an acting Emmy.

Photo: Associated Press

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus won the lead actress in a comedy Emmy last year for her role as Selina Meyer in `Veep.’ She goes for the repeat Sunday. She won the same award for `The New Adventures of Old Christine’ in 2006. less

Julia Louis-Dreyfus won the lead actress in a comedy Emmy last year for her role as Selina Meyer in `Veep.’ She goes for the repeat Sunday. She won the same award for `The New Adventures of Old Christine’ ... more

Photo: Lacey Terrell, Associated Press

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Tina Fey has never won an Emmy for acting. Will she walk away from `30 Rock’ as a winner?

Tina Fey has never won an Emmy for acting. Will she walk away from `30 Rock’ as a winner?

Photo: Ali Goldstein, Associated Press

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Alec Baldwin already has a pair of Emmys for his turn as Jack Donaghy on `30 Rock.’

Alec Baldwin already has a pair of Emmys for his turn as Jack Donaghy on `30 Rock.’

Photo: Art Streiber, Art Streiber/NBC

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Matt LeBlanc, who was nominated for `Episodes' in 2011, is up for the Emmy again this year.

Matt LeBlanc, who was nominated for `Episodes' in 2011, is up for the Emmy again this year.

Photo: Copyright: Showtime 2012

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Jason Bateman (with David Cross) was nominated for his work on `Arrested Development’ back in 2005. He has another shot at the Emmy this year after Netflix revived Michael Bluth and the series.

Jason Bateman (with David Cross) was nominated for his work on `Arrested Development’ back in 2005. He has another shot at the Emmy this year after Netflix revived Michael Bluth and the series.

Photo: Mike Yarish, Netflix

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This publicity image released by HBO shows Lena Dunham in "Girls." The program was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding comedy series on Thursday July 18, 2013. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Emmy ceremony will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. It will air Sept. 22 on CBS.(AP Photo/HBO, Jessica Miglio) less

This publicity image released by HBO shows Lena Dunham in "Girls." The program was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding comedy series on Thursday July 18, 2013. The Academy of Television Arts & ... more

Photo: Jessica Miglio, Associated Press

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Amy Poehler is nominated for an Emmy Award for best actress in a comedy series for her role as Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation."

Amy Poehler is nominated for an Emmy Award for best actress in a comedy series for her role as Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation."

Photo: Dean Hendler, HOEP

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HBO cancelled `Enlightened,’ but Laura Dern still has a shot at the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.

HBO cancelled `Enlightened,’ but Laura Dern still has a shot at the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.

Photo: LACEY TERRELL, HBO

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Picks, predictions for the Emmys

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Will Neil Patrick Harris once again deliver a razzle-dazzle Emmy show? The host said he has plenty of new tricks up his sleeve.

After all, Harris, on top of being charming, funny and a polished song-and-dance man, is an accomplished magician; he's been interested in sleight of hand since childhood.

One thing he isn't into, however, is repeating himself, so don't expect him to pull out a catchy musical number at the top of the show as he did for the 2009 Emmys. He does promise plenty of surprises and, yes, music. A standout should be Elton John's tribute to Liberace as part of the fanfare surrounding nominated HBO movie “Behind the Candelabra.”

Will win: “Homeland” (Showtime). Though its second season was a bit uneven compared to the terrorism drama's wondrous freshman year, it still delivered lots of astonishing twists and turns.

I'm rooting for: “Breaking Bad” (AMC). This is its swan song year, when the darkly funny, amazingly written and intriguingly photographed meth drama should at long last be awarded the Emmy. OK, so the second half of its final season will most assuredly get a nod next year, too. Still, fans really want to see it win now while “Bad” is still playing ... and blazing hot.

Will win: Cranston, who's highly deserving as always, or Lewis, who made us suffer along with his character as he was torn between the two forces pulling his strings, the CIA and al-Qaida baddie Abu Nazir.

I'm rooting for: Hamm, who has never won and who turned in such a multifaceted portrayal as Don Draper — at once likable and repellant.

I'm rooting for: “Veep” (HBO). The second season of this White House comedy was even more irreverently funny than the first. Second choice: “The Big Bang Theory,” which continues to be appointment television and never fails to make me giggle.

Will win: Parsons, because he continues to be both insufferable and lovable as the geeky, overbearing Sheldon.

I'm rooting for: Louis C.K., who has never won and pulls off one of the toughest tricks of comedy — he brings us hearty laughs while getting us to seriously empathize with his trials as a divorced dad.

Will win: Last year's Emmy recipient Louis-Dreyfus, who shone even more brightly in her second term as stumbling and scheming VP Selina Meyer.

I'm rooting for: Poehler. Is Emmy ever going to honor this comedy treasure, who's been up year after year? I even think Louis-Dreyfus would applaud a win by Poehler, who delivered yet another strong season as forever taunted, but unfailingly optimistic, public servant Leslie Knope.